Question Network Switch Recommendatin

Collider

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Jan 20, 2008
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Hi all -

I'm tech savvy but a bit light on the networking side so would like to ask for some recommendations for a network switch for my home office. Below is a brief list of requirements I have so far (Any additional items I should look for, pl. feel free to append.)

- 16 or more ports
- At least 2x 10Gb ports to connect my VM server w/ UnRaid server
- Fan-less or quiet fan
- Preferably rack mountable, but not a must
- Managed - easy to understand interface so I could tweak settings and learn more about networking
- Preferably cloud managed capability via phone app would be cool
- I have CAT6 wired throughout the house so would like to maximize speed
- Use cases: VMs, Development Staging / QA environments (web services/etc.), SQL Server (running heavy loads), NAS (via UnRaid), Backups, 4K media consumption
- Budget: a bit flexible on this one, but ideally would like to keep it under $300

Thanks in advance!
 

VirtualLarry

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16 or more ports
At least 2x 10Gb ports to connect my VM server w/ UnRaid server
Budget: a bit flexible on this one, but ideally would like to keep it under $300
There's only one consumer switch that I know of, with 10GbE-T ports (2), with 1GbE ports (8), that's under $300. (I bought one, have yet to use it.)

It's a Netgear. They make a managed and unmanaged version.

https://www.netgear.com/landing/10gigabit.aspx

Unmanaged, 2x 10GbE-T, 8x 1GbE-T
https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Ethernet-Unmanaged-Multi-Gig-Protection/dp/B076642YPN

Managed, 2x 10GbE-T, 8x 1GbE-T
https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Ethernet-Unmanaged-Multi-Gig-Protection/dp/B0765ZPY18

If you need more 10GbE-T ports, next cheapest is the QNAP

https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-QSW-1208-8C-US-12-Port-Unmanaged-10GBASE-T/dp/B07CDJ9YGM

TL;DR: 10GbE-T switches are STILL pricey, but at least now they're under $1000.
 
Last edited:

mxnerd

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10GbaseT stuff is expensiv like VL has said.

Per port price is still about $100.

==

unmanaged 4 port SFP+ 10G switch with adapters under $200
Oops, the switch actually run RouterOS and supports routing & VLAN.
https://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:TOC



https://mikrotik.com/product/crs305_1g_4s_in
https://www.eurodk.com/en/products/crs/mikrotik-crs305-1g-4sin




a pair of SFP+ adapters only $40
https://www.amazon.com/Mellanox-Connectx-2-PCI-Epress-Interface-MNPA19-XTR/dp/B016OYD0D4

TP-Link JetStream 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Switch with 4-10GE SFP+ Slots (T1700G-28TQ)
https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-JetStream-24-Port-Ethernet-T1700G-28TQ/dp/B01CHP5IAC

D-Link Systems 28-Port Gigabit SmartPro Stackable Switch & 4 10GbE SFP+ Ports (DGS-1510-28X)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MCZNW5G/ref=psdc_281414_t2_B01CHP5IAC

TP-Link & Dlink are just smart switch, not really managed switches. They both supports VLAN / Static routing though.
 
Last edited:

mxnerd

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Thanks for the replies, been reviewing provided recommendations but still undecided.

I should have mentioned that I'm OK with SFP+.

One additional model I'm considering is, but its not silent w/ 29 DBA fan: https://www.netgear.com/images/Prod...es/Gigabit10GSFP/GC728X-GC728XP-Datasheet.pdf

Seems another good choice. A bit cheaper with 2 SFP+ ports, but there is a mobile app.

D-Link is noisier. 42.7dB
http://us.dlink.com/products/business-solutions/dgs-1510-28x/

TP-Link is completely quiet, but might have some issues. Don't know if it's fixed. You probably can get newer firmware y contacting their tech support.
https://forums.servethehome.com/index.php?threads/if-you-have-the-tp-link-t1700g-28tq-switch.18725/
 
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aigomorla

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Collider

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0723DT6MN/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I wanna see someone give a better recommendation to your want then that switch at that price.

I had one until it got replaced by a Qnap 10gbE.
But if all you need is 2 x 10gbe / SFP+
Then that Mikrotik is hands down the best bang for you buck.

Wow, great find, thanks for this - this is quite a gem at this price.

It has everything on my list AND its fan-less which is a huge plus since it will be sitting under my desk.

But now I'm thinking that I might want another 3rd SFP+ for my main desktop as well (its not really a need, rather a want) - Hmm.. I really might just get this one and then just pair it with @mxnerd's suggested MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN

Is pairing 2 switching normally looked down upon?
 

VirtualLarry

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https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-JetStream-24-Port-Ethernet-T1700G-28TQ/dp/B01CHP5IAC/ref=pd_sbs_147_6

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-28-Port-Lifetime-Protection-TEG-30284/dp/B01EOPSRP6/ref=pd_sbs_147_7

Those popped up for me, as "Customer Also Browsed". Both appear to be 24-port GigE, plus 4x SPF+. In case one wants 4x 10GbE (SFP+), rather than just two as in Aigo's switch recommendation. (Granted, they are a little bit more money.)

I bought a Netgear, the 8-port GigE + 2x 10GbE-T unmanaged, they had it for $160 or so plus tax / ship. That was the cheapest switch that I could find that had multiple 10GbE-T ports on it, and I figured Netgear was reliable. I have yet to open it up, as I really wanted more ports, LAG/LACP, and need to pick up some 10GbE-T cards for my rigs too.

But this whole SFP+ stuff intrigues me. Is fiber hard to deal with? Any risks, like taking a laser to the eye?

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-JetStream-24-Port-Ethernet-T1700G-28TQ/dp/B01IABKFHI/ref=pd_sbs_147_6

Edit: DROOL! 12 ports of 10GbE-T, plus 4 ports of SFP+ 10GbE. Plus "Smart Switch". Only $999.99... :(
 

Collider

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https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-JetStream-24-Port-Ethernet-T1700G-28TQ/dp/B01CHP5IAC/ref=pd_sbs_147_6

https://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-28-Port-Lifetime-Protection-TEG-30284/dp/B01EOPSRP6/ref=pd_sbs_147_7

Those popped up for me, as "Customer Also Browsed". Both appear to be 24-port GigE, plus 4x SPF+. In case one wants 4x 10GbE (SFP+), rather than just two as in Aigo's switch recommendation. (Granted, they are a little bit more money.)

I bought a Netgear, the 8-port GigE + 2x 10GbE-T unmanaged, they had it for $160 or so plus tax / ship. That was the cheapest switch that I could find that had multiple 10GbE-T ports on it, and I figured Netgear was reliable. I have yet to open it up, as I really wanted more ports, LAG/LACP, and need to pick up some 10GbE-T cards for my rigs too.

But this whole SFP+ stuff intrigues me. Is fiber hard to deal with? Any risks, like taking a laser to the eye?

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-JetStream-24-Port-Ethernet-T1700G-28TQ/dp/B01IABKFHI/ref=pd_sbs_147_6

Edit: DROOL! 12 ports of 10GbE-T, plus 4 ports of SFP+ 10GbE. Plus "Smart Switch". Only $999.99... :(

Yeah at this point, I'm pretty much torn between either:

TP-Link JetStream 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Smart Switch with 4-10GE SFP+ Slots (T1700G-28TQ)
it has everything I'm looking for but some folks reported firmware instability, freezing up & requiring restart after 2 - 3 months. Someone said that beta firmware helped about 6 months ago. I posted on their forum to find out issue has been resolved - link, also thinking about contacting TP Link support directly.

OR

Mikrotik CSS326-24G-2S+RM 24 port Gigabit Ethernet switch with two SFP+ ports
+
MikroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN
Here, I'm a bit concerned if I'll face any issues combining the 2 switches.

These seem to be the only 2 silent options I could found so far. TRENDnet 28-port looks solid, but comes w/ a screaming fan rated at 50 dBA.

From my research SFP+ seems like a better choice for a small home network and especially for VM & Database use cases due to much lower latency than 10GBE.

10GBase-T advantages
  • Lower deployment cost and easier to install and migrate
  • Much longer reach, 100 meter vs. 8.5 meter
  • Familiar RJ45 connectors and Cat 5/6/7 cables
  • Use of patch panels and structured wiring
  • Backward compatibility to 1 gigabit Ethernet or 100 megabit Ethernet
SFP+ DAC advantages:
  • Significantly lower overall cost, when you include switch, NIC and cable
  • Lower latency – 300 us per hop vs. 2.6 us per hop
  • Lower power and lower heat
  • Freely intermix fiber and DAC to meet distance requirements
10GBASE-T SFP+ Comparison
 

Collider

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Jan 20, 2008
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So I think I'll be going with TP Link T1700G-28TQ since MicroTik CRS305-1G-4S+IN is sold out pretty much everywhere, a few places have it at a much higher price. And managing 1 switch should be easier than 2 MicroTiks.

For someone completely new to managed switches - can I expect this to work right out of the box after I connect my PC's or will there be a huge learning curve and setup time?
 

aigomorla

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killster1

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https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-CRS...PFMY4DZB5E2&psc=1&refRID=KB81NAF6TPFMY4DZB5E2

Thats the Mikrotik version of of your TPlink and it has PoE on top for the same price.
Personally i dont think you can beat the quality of mikrotik for price ratio, until u step up a little and get into ubiquiti, which i feel is as close to you get to enterprise without enterprise prices.

thanks not sure the price but that looks like my next switch. i have been looking for a while and saw the ubiquiti switches on sale and then people say terrible things about them having issues with firmware. (really forget the issues but was enough to make me pass on the slickdeals.net sale.)

CRS328-24P-4S+RM
 

aigomorla

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For someone completely new to managed switches - can I expect this to work right out of the box after I connect my PC's or will there be a huge learning curve and setup time?

oh i think i completely missed this part...

Most of these switches are plug and play.
That mikrotik you may want to go in and disable PoE or enable it as required.
Mikrotik also recommends you check to see if there is any firmware upgrades.
I remember i had to upgrade my firmware for my old switch i had, and then never looked at it, as it was stable as a switch could be.

Also when on 10GBe you need to tweak your network card settings.
There is a lot of website pages you can google to find out what settings you go by when setting up 10GBe over SFP+

Lastly you dont need fiber transcoders for SFP+ unless your running LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG distances. You can DAC it if the range is short incase you didnt know.
DAC cables are cheaper then going the whole fiber route.

DAC = Direct Attached Copper.